Title: The Trials of Koli.
Series: Rampart Trilogy #2.
Writer(s): M.R. Carey.
Publisher: Orbit.
Format: Paperback.
Release Date: September 15th, 2020.
Pages: 445.
Genre(s): Fantasy.
ISBN13: 9780356513492.
My Overall Rating: ★★★★☆.
Previously in the Rampart Trilogy:
The Book of Koli by M.R. Carey.
Imagine being born in a world where everything you know, everything you do, everything you think, is shaped by those in power. Discretely manipulated into abiding by the rules without ever second-guessing decisions by these individuals with authority, while threatened into staying put by the scary creatures that dwell in the shadows beyond the walls mounted by these people, you wouldn’t question your life, your people, or the world around you. That is until doubt enters your mind, a compulsion to seek the truth calls within you, and you suddenly go out of your way to gain access to everything that was hidden from you and the world. Focusing more than ever on his characters and widening the post-apocalyptic world he’s created to uncharted territories now comes writer M.R. Carey with a sequel to his authentic and eccentric novel The Book of Koli as he begins to unravel the calamity at the heart of this world, shedding light on a disaster where mankind might have been at the root of it all.
What is The Trials of Koli about? Picking up where the story left off in The Book of Koli, the young and curious Koli is exiled into the wilderness, filled with terrifying vegetation that ruthlessly preys upon any source of disturbances. As an exile, he’s now off on a journey to a place that was once nothing more than a setting to folklores, a place that was spoken of as a thing of the past, a place that might have exactly what he needs to redeem himself in the eyes of the people of Mythen Rood: lost London. With all his hope put into this city where the mysterious tech of the Old Times might still exist, Koli travels alongside unlikely allies as they attempt to survive the threats that this deadly world of their own making has to offer.
“London was no more than a story to me.”
— M.R. Carey
Unlike the previous novel that exclusively focused on Koli’s narrative while giving this series a fascinating tone through his uncommon literacy, author M.R. Carey introduces readers with a second point of view, alternating it with Koli’s own adventure alongside his survival group, through Spinner who now serves as the perfect character to chronicle the events taking place within Mythen Rood following Koli’s departure. While this seemed risky at first, it turned out to be an excellent narrative decision that allowed the author to expand his universe, especially “Ingland”, in more ways than one. While the universe is brimming with deadly vegetation that Koli and his friends are inevitably bound to encounter throughout their journey, it is especially through the eerie and shady individuals from various isolated camps that we quickly learn that the real danger in this world isn’t in nature but in people themselves.
Where this sequel also succeeds is in developing the previously-introduced characters that have now stuck around with Koli in his journey towards discovering the truth about the world he has always been forbidden to discover. Author M.R. Carey cleverly builds on their tense relationship with one another as he explores each of their flaws and strengths in the context of survival. As Koli continues to trust Monono Aware, especially when she has proven herself to be his greatest friend, ally, and saviour, it is the tension between the others that makes this journey both thrilling and laborious for everyone. From Ursula’s inability to trust Monono with her artificial intelligence independence to Ursula’s inability to also trust Cup due to the latter’s past allegiance to a death cult, it is wonderful to watch them endeavour through countless trials and learn to grow fond of one another. If anything, the final book in this trilogy will undoubtedly bloom into a ferocious creature that will lead to The Fall of Koli.
The Trials of Koli is a riveting story focused on an ever-expanding world while crystalizing friendships through hardship.
Thank you to Orbit Books for sending me a copy for review!
Roars and Echoes 
Ooh…this sounds good! As you know I love all things post apocalyptic, so this is one of those books that seems to have been written for you. But not only that I just like the entire premise. Terrifying vegetation? That’s something different! 😀 I’m glad to hear that the writer took some risks and they payed off! Glad you enjoyed yet another book! Terrific post as always!
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It has a really cool concept. Author M.R. Carey really nails the world-building, making it all so relatable yet distant! I hope you get the chance to try out this series someday. Maybe after the final book of the trilogy comes out? 😀 Thanks for reading, Michel!
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Maybe they will release it in a massive omnibus edition? That would be cool. But yeah this does sound like my kind of book, that’s for sure! 😀😀
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Your imagination exercise from the beginning sounds suspiciously like the world we live in today – maybe without the creepy lethal plants at every corner 😂
The first book is on my shelf already! 😁
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Hahaha it is, and sort of worse with how connected we are to various sources of information/disinformation! Hope you have a good time with the first book then! 😀
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Great review but nothing about it really seems to grab my attention. Sometimes I feel like post-apocalyptic is more fantasy than SF and my fantasy reading has definitely decreased over the last year or two. That and there are just SO MANY books coming out all the time. I feel almost buried under and avalanche of “read me, no, read me! no, read me!!”
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Though it did grab my attention, I completely agree with you about the avalanche of “read me, no, read me! no, read me!!” Just can’t keep up, but I do enjoy trying.
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I agree. It’s nice to know that there are so many options for us to choose from too. 😀
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Thanks, man! I have noticed that your tolerance for new fantasy stories/authors has diminished over the years too. But I totally understand the “too many want my attention”. I’m clearly always building an insane backlog with every new release every month too…
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I used to follow a blogger who was about 10 years my senior. As such, his SFF foundation was a bit older than mine. What I’m currently going through, he went through. At some point, it all starts to feel the same. I’m kind of dreading that possible trajectory but honestly, my reading IS changing, so maybe I just need to accept it.
This is a very apropos comment, as I’ve got a post coming up later today about bloggers changing
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So glad you enjoyed this one! Not that I had any doubts about it… 😉
It’s so true that the uneasy relationships between the travelers are the best part of a story that is already so very intriguing because of its quest & discovery nature. And now the wait for the conclusion goes on…
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I can’t wait to see how it all ends. I think he’s set us up quite well with this second book and things are going to get crazy soon! Thanks for reading, Maddalena! 😀
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This sounds great and I already like the sound of post apocalyptic world. Wonderful review!
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Definitely an awesome post-apocalyptic world! Thanks for reading, Yesha! 😀
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Awesome review, Lashaan😁 I loved this too and I can hardly wait for the last book!
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Thank you so much, Tammy! Can’t wait for us to read the final book! 😀
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I really enjoyed this review. It’s great to hear the series continues to entertain and I look forward to returning to this world and its characters (especially Monono!). I like the idea of the split narrative. In addition to keeping us up to date on what’s happening back home it kind of implies there may be something more between those two in the future.
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I’m with you there. I believe there’s a reason for him to include that new POV and that it will probably pay off a lot by the third and final book! Hope you get around to it soon, Todd.
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Great review, Lashaan! I think I remember reading your review of the first book and being super interested, so this one made me want to check this series out even more! Thanks for sharing 😊
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Thank you so much, Juliette! I’m glad to hear your continued interest in this one! 😀 I can’t wait for the third one to come out and complete this trilogy!
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The premise seems simple – people wandering through the jungle but I should know that many things can happen there. I would much rather prefer if this was an adventure type book than fantasy.
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Soooo, a story à la Rambo? 😀
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Why not?!
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Hey Lashaan,
You make this book sound amazing. Admittedly, I was on the fence about this series. Now I have to reconsider! 😁
I like the alternate view points you described and this wilderness like setting. ♡ Great review, Lashaan 🙂
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It’s definitely a lot of fun, Scarlett! If you enjoy post-apocalyptic stories, then M.R. Carey is an author to look out for. He knows how to make those atmospheric and original stories for us. Thank you so much for reading, Scarlett! 😀
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This sounds like a good read.
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It really is! I definitely recommend Carey’s trilogy if the premise intrigues you, Allie! 😀
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